Saddleback Church Members React To Arrest Of Youth Pastor Accused Of Lewd Acts With Teens

CALIFORNIA
CBS Los Angeles

LAKE FOREST (CBSLA.com) – A youth volunteer at an Orange County megachurch has been arrested on suspicion of having inappropriate relations with at least two boys.

Ruven Meulenberg, who volunteers as a junior high youth mentor with Saddleback Church, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of lewd and lascivious acts with a child following a parent’s report, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

He was booked into Orange County Jail and is now being held on $100,000 bail.

Today was the first time Sunday services were held since the arrest.

CBS 2’s Greg Mills spoke to congregants who, suffice to say, were not happy hearing the news.

“It’s not acceptable,” said Lennard Cowans.

Many, like Cowans were hearing the news for the first time.

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